Portable containment system for hazardous or other materials

ABSTRACT

A method includes wrapping one or more pieces of fabric around at least one piece of shape memory material. The method also includes attaching outer edges of the one or more pieces of fabric to other portions of the one or more pieces of fabric. The method further includes depositing liquid-impervious material onto the one or more pieces of fabric to form free-standing flexible walls and a floor of a containment structure. The floor is formed seamlessly with the walls. The wrapping could include attaching a bottom of the at least one piece of shape memory material to the one or more pieces of fabric at locations spaced apart from the outer edges of the one or more pieces of fabric. The wrapping could also include attaching sides of the at least one piece of shape memory material to the one or more pieces of fabric.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION AND PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/616,602 filed on Sep. 14, 2012, which claims priority under35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/535,760filed on Sep. 16, 2011. Both of these patent applications are herebyincorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure is generally directed to containment systems. Morespecifically, this disclosure is directed to a portable containmentsystem for hazardous or other materials.

BACKGROUND

Often times, it is necessary or desirable to prevent material from beingreleased or absorbed into the ground. For example, the release ofhazardous or other materials into the ground could contaminate groundwater or cause other problems. As a particular example, hazardous orother materials are often stored in tanks. Any spills or leaks ofmaterials from the tanks could lead to contamination as well as civil orregulatory fines.

SUMMARY

This disclosure provides a portable containment system for hazardous orother materials.

In a first embodiment, a method includes wrapping one or more pieces offabric around at least one piece of shape memory material. The methodalso includes attaching outer edges of the one or more pieces of fabricto other portions of the one or more pieces of fabric. The methodfurther includes depositing liquid-impervious material onto the one ormore pieces of fabric to form free-standing flexible walls and a floorof a containment structure, where the floor is formed seamlessly withthe walls.

In a second embodiment, an apparatus includes a containment structurehaving a floor and free-standing flexible walls. The floor includes oneor more pieces of fabric, and the free-standing flexible walls includeat least one piece of shape memory material. The one or more pieces offabric wrap around the at least one piece of shape memory material.Outer edges of the one or more pieces of fabric are attached to otherportions of the one or more pieces of fabric. Liquid-impervious materialis located on the one or more pieces of fabric. The floor is seamlesswith the free-standing flexible walls.

In a third embodiment, a method includes wrapping one or more pieces offabric around at least one piece of shape memory material. The wrappingincludes attaching a bottom of the at least one piece of shape memorymaterial to the one or more pieces of fabric using liquid-imperviousmaterial at locations spaced apart from outer edges of the one or morepieces of fabric. The wrapping also includes attaching sides of the atleast one piece of shape memory material to the one or more pieces offabric using liquid-impervious material. The method also includesattaching outer edges of the one or more pieces of fabric to otherportions of the one or more pieces of fabric using liquid-imperviousmaterial. The method further includes depositing liquid-imperviousmaterial onto the one or more pieces of fabric to form free-standingflexible walls and a floor of a containment structure, where the flooris formed seamlessly with the walls. In addition, the method includesdepositing liquid-impervious material onto a second side of the one ormore pieces of fabric to protect an underside of the containmentstructure.

Other technical features may be readily apparent to one skilled in theart from the following figures, descriptions, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of this disclosure, reference is nowmade to the following description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 through 6 illustrate a first example portable containment systemin accordance with this disclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates an example method for forming the portablecontainment system of FIGS. 1 through 6 according to this disclosure;

FIGS. 8 through 10 illustrate a second example portable containmentsystem in accordance with this disclosure;

FIG. 11 illustrates an example method for forming the portablecontainment system of FIGS. 8 through 10 according to this disclosure;

FIG. 12 illustrates a third example portable containment system inaccordance with this disclosure;

FIG. 13 illustrates an example method for forming the portablecontainment system of FIG. 12 according to this disclosure;

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate a fourth example portable containment systemin accordance with this disclosure;

FIG. 16 illustrates an example method for forming the portablecontainment system of FIGS. 14 and 15 according to this disclosure; and

FIG. 17 illustrates example handles integrated into a portablecontainment system according to this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 through 17, discussed below, and the various embodiments used todescribe the principles of the present invention in this patent documentare by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any wayto limit the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art willunderstand that the principles of the invention may be implemented inany type of suitably arranged device or system.

FIGS. 1 through 6 illustrate a first example portable containment system100 in accordance with this disclosure. FIG. 1 illustrates multipleinstances of the portable containment system 100. The containment system100 includes a bottom portion or floor 102 and free-standing walls 104.The containment system 100 operates to contain and hold material betweenthe walls 104 and over the floor 102, thereby helping to prevent thematerial from being absorbed into the ground. In some embodiments, thecontainment system 100 is a seamless structure formed from polyurea andfelt. However, the containment system 100 could be formed from any othersuitable materials. Also, the containment system 100 can be used to holdand prevent release of any hazardous and nonhazardous material(s).

An example containment system 100 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 2through 6. For example, in FIGS. 2 and 3, the containment system 100 isshown with its floor 102 and free-standing walls 104. Multiple supports202 attached to the walls 104 and floor 102 help to support the walls104 of the containment system 100. For example, if liquid or othermaterial leaks into the containment system 100, the supports 202 canhelp retain the walls 104 in an upright position to hold the materialwithin the containment system 100. The supports 202 include any suitablestructures for supporting the walls 104, such as flexible supports.

One or more molds 204 are used to help form the containment system 100.As described in more detail below, the molds 204 can be used to helpform the walls 104 of the containment system 100. Each mold 204 includesany suitable structure for helping to form at least part of thecontainment system 100. For example, each mold 204 could represent anL-shaped wooden mold that is six inches tall and four inches wide. Othertypes of molds could also be used, such as carbon fiber molds. Moreover,molds having other sizes and shapes, such as rounded corners, could beused.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, once the containment system 100 is formed,the molds 204 can be removed, and material can be placed within thecontainment system 100. In this case, water is being placed into thecontainment system 100 for testing purposes. The supports 202 help tokeep the walls 104 upright as the containment system 100 is being filledwith water.

The containment system 100 here is flexible and can be rolled orotherwise placed into a suitable form for transport. An example of thisis shown in FIG. 6, where the containment system 100 has been rolled fortransport. Once at its intended destination, the containment system 100can be placed on the ground and unrolled or otherwise placed into asuitable form for use, and equipment (such as one or more storage tanks)can be placed on the containment system 100. When the equipment is beingplaced onto the containment system 100, people or machinery can be usedto drag or carry the equipment onto the containment system 100. Thewalls 104 of the containment system 100 can flex or be pressed downduring this time, and the walls 104 may return substantially to theirpre-flexed shape (although some deformation of a wall 104 ispermissible). This helps to facilitate easier placement of the equipmenton the containment system 100.

Note that the containment system 100 here does not require the use ofmetallic or other solid supports to hold the walls 104 of thecontainment system 100 upright. Among other things, this can enablesimpler transport and use of the containment system 100. For instance,the containment system 100 could be easily rolled into the form shown inFIG. 6 without requiring metallic or other solid supports to first beremoved from the containment system 100. Also, the containment system100 could be easily unrolled into the form shown in FIG. 1 for usewithout requiring metallic or other solid supports to first be insertedinto the containment system 100.

Although FIGS. 1 through 6 illustrate a first example of a portablecontainment system 100, various changes may be made to FIGS. 1 through6. For example, the containment system 100 could have any suitable size,shape, and dimensions. As particular examples, the containment system100 could be of virtually any size as long as there is enough space tocreate walls for containing material meant to be contained. Also, theshape could be typically square or rectangular, although circular orother shapes could also be used. Further, the walls 104 could have anysuitable height(s), such as six inches. Note that non-uniform heightsare also possible. In addition, while the use of certain materials (suchas polyurea and felt) is described here, any other suitable materialscan be used to form the containment system 100. For instance, anysuitable textiles or other fabrics could be used in the containmentsystem 100 and covered with polyurea or other liquid-imperviousmaterial(s).

FIG. 7 illustrates an example method 700 for forming the portablecontainment system of FIGS. 1 through 6 according to this disclosure. Asshown in FIG. 7, a desired final size of the containment system isidentified at step 702. One or more first pieces of felt or other fabricare cut to a desired size at step 704. Each first fabric piece couldhave any suitable size and shape, such as a rectangle four feet bytwelve feet. One or multiple first pieces of fabric could be used here.

A releasing agent is applied to one or more molds at step 706. Thereleasing agent could represent any suitable material(s) to help preventbonding of the containment system 100 to the mold(s) 204, such as apolyurea releasing agent. The molds are placed along outer edges of thefirst fabric piece(s) at step 708. The molds define where the walls 104are being formed and can be placed so that the walls 104 define acontainment system 100 having the desired final shape. If the molds 204are L-shaped, this step could include placing outer edges of the firstfabric pieces on the bottom portions of the molds 204.

Polyurea is applied to the mold(s) and fabric and cured to form thewalls and floor of the containment system at step 710. This couldinclude, for example, spraying polyurea onto the molds 204 and firstfabric pieces and allowing the polyurea to cure. Any suitable amount ofpolyurea can be applied to the walls 104 and floor 102 of thecontainment system 100.

To form supports for the walls, second felt or other fabric pieces areplaced inside the walls of the containment system at step 712. Thiscould include, for example, cutting pieces of fabric and placing thefabric pieces spaced apart along the inner walls 104 of the containmentstructure. In particular embodiments, the second fabric pieces can beabout two inches by eight inches, and the second fabric pieces can beplaced about 3.5 feet apart. Note that any other suitable uniform ornon-uniform sizes and spacings can be used. Polyurea is applied to thesecond fabric pieces to form the supports at step 714.

The containment structure is turned over at step 716, and polyurea isapplied to the bottom of the structure at step 718. The polyurea usedhere could represent a light application of polyurea meant to protectthe underside of the structure. Once completed, the containment systemcan be used in any suitable manner.

Although FIG. 7 illustrates one example of a method 700 for forming theportable containment system 100 of FIGS. 1 through 6, various changesmay be made to FIG. 7. For example, while shown as a series of steps,various steps in FIG. 7 could overlap, occur in parallel, or occur in adifferent order. Also, while the use of certain materials (such aspolyurea and felt) is described here, any other suitable materials canbe used to form the containment system. In addition, note that sprayingrepresents one way of depositing a liquid-impervious material onto astructure and that other deposition techniques could be used.

FIGS. 8 through 10 illustrate a second example portable containmentsystem 800 in accordance with this disclosure. FIG. 8 illustratesmultiple instances of the portable containment system 800. Thecontainment system 800 includes a bottom portion or floor 802 andfree-standing walls 804. The containment system 800 operates to containand hold material between the walls 804 and over the floor 802, therebyhelping to prevent the material from being absorbed into the ground. Insome embodiments, the containment system 800 is a seamless structureformed from polyurea, felt, and memory foam. However, the containmentsystem 800 could be formed from any other suitable materials. Also, thecontainment system 800 can be used to hold and prevent release of anyhazardous and nonhazardous material(s).

A portion of the containment system 800 is shown in greater detail inFIG. 9 and in cross-section in FIG. 10. In FIG. 9, the containmentsystem 800 is shown with its floor 802 and a free-standing wall 804. Thewall 804 here is generally triangular in shape, although the wall 804could have any other desired shape(s). If liquid or other material leaksinto the containment system 800, the walls 804 remain in an uprightposition to hold the material within the containment system 800. Thewalls 804 can be formed using memory foam material or other type ofshape memory material(s), which allows the walls 804 to be deformedduring use.

As shown in FIG. 10, the wall 804 of the containment system 800 could beformed using felt 1002 and memory foam material 1004. The felt 1002 andmemory foam material 1004 can be covered by layers 1006-1008 of polyureato create a liquid-impervious structure. Once again, note that thememory foam material 1004 could have any other desired shape, and anyother material(s) could be used in place of the felt 1002.

The containment system 800 here is flexible and can be rolled orotherwise placed into a suitable form for transport (similar to thatshown in FIG. 6). Once at its intended destination, the containmentsystem 800 can be placed on the ground and unrolled or otherwise placedinto a suitable form for use, and equipment (such as one or more storagetanks) can be placed on the containment system 800. When the equipmentis being placed onto the containment system 800, people or machinery canbe used to drag or carry the equipment onto the containment system 800.The walls 804 of the containment system 800 can be depressed, and thewalls 804 may return substantially to their pre-depressed shape(although some deformation of a wall 804 is permissible). This helps tofacilitate easier placement of the equipment on the containment system800.

Note that the containment system 800 here does not require the use ofmetallic or other solid supports to hold the walls 804 of thecontainment system 800 upright. Among other things, this can enablesimpler transport and use of the containment system 800. For instance,the containment system 800 could be easily rolled into a form similar tothat shown in FIG. 6 without requiring metallic or other solid supportsto first be removed from the containment system 800. Also, thecontainment system 800 could be easily unrolled into the form shown inFIG. 8 for use without requiring metallic or other solid supports tofirst be inserted into the containment system 800.

Although FIGS. 8 through 10 illustrate a second example of a portablecontainment system 800, various changes may be made to FIGS. 8 through10. For example, the containment system 800 could have any suitablesize, shape, and dimensions. As particular examples, the containmentsystem 800 could be of virtually any size as long as there is enoughspace to create walls for containing material meant to be contained.Also, the shape could be typically square or rectangular, althoughcircular or other shapes could also be used. Further, the walls 804could have any suitable height(s), and non-uniform heights are alsopossible. In addition, while the use of certain materials (such aspolyurea, felt, and memory foam) is described here, any other suitablematerials can be used to form the containment system 800. For instance,any suitable textiles or other fabrics could be used in the containmentsystem 800 and covered with polyurea or other liquid-imperviousmaterial(s). Moreover, any suitable shape-memory material(s) could beused in the walls 804 of the containment system 800.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example method 1100 for forming the portablecontainment system of FIGS. 8 through 10 according to this disclosure.As shown in FIG. 11, a desired final size of the containment system isidentified at step 1102. One or more pieces of felt or other fabric arecut to a desired size at step 1104. Each fabric piece could have anysuitable size and shape, such as a rectangle four feet by twelve feet.One or multiple pieces of fabric could be used here.

One or more pieces of memory foam are cut to fit the desired size atstep 1106. The memory foam could be cut so that one or more pieces fitalong the outer edges of the fabric piece(s). The memory foam piecesdefine where the walls 804 are being formed.

Polyurea is applied to the outer edges of the fabric at step 1108, andthe memory foam pieces are attached to the outer edges of the fabric atstep 1110. The memory foam pieces are therefore attached to the outeredges of the fabric when the polyurea cures.

Polyurea is applied onto the fabric and memory foam pieces at step 1112.The containment structure is turned over at step 1114, and polyurea isapplied to the bottom of the structure at step 1116. Any suitable amountof polyurea can be applied to the walls 804 and floor 802 of thecontainment system 800. Once completed, the containment system can beused in any suitable manner.

Although FIG. 11 illustrates one example of a method 1100 for formingthe portable containment system of FIGS. 8 through 10, various changesmay be made to FIG. 11. For example, while shown as a series of steps,various steps in FIG. 11 could overlap, occur in parallel, or occur in adifferent order. Also, while the use of certain materials (such aspolyurea, felt, and memory foam) is described here, any other suitablematerials can be used to form the containment system. In addition, notethat spraying represents one way of depositing a liquid-imperviousmaterial onto a structure and that other deposition techniques could beused.

FIG. 12 illustrates a third example portable containment system 1200 inaccordance with this disclosure. As shown in FIG. 12, the containmentsystem 1200 includes a floor 1202 and walls 1204. The floor 1202 can beformed using felt or other fabric(s), and the floor 1202 and the walls1204 can be formed using polyurea or other liquid-imperviousmaterial(s). These structures could be formed in the same or similarmanner as in the containment system 100 described above.

The containment system 1200 also includes multiple supports 1206attached to the walls 1204 and floor 1202. The supports 1206 can beformed using memory foam material or other type of shape memorymaterial(s). These structures could be formed in the same or similarmanner as in the containment system 800 described above, except theshape memory material in the supports 1206 is not continuous around theentire containment system 1200. The walls 1204 and supports 1206 herecan be deformed during use and may return substantially to theirpre-flexed shape (although some deformation of a wall 1204 or support1206 is permissible).

Although FIG. 12 illustrates a third example of a portable containmentsystem 1200, various changes may be made to FIG. 12. For example, thecontainment system 1200 could have any suitable size, shape, anddimensions. As particular examples, the containment system 1200 could beof virtually any size as long as there is enough space to create wallsfor containing material meant to be contained. Also, the shape could betypically square or rectangular, although circular or other shapes couldalso be used. Further, the walls 1204 could have any suitable height(s),and non-uniform heights are also possible. Moreover, the supports 1206could have any suitable size and shape, and any number of supports 1206could be used. In addition, while the use of certain materials (such aspolyurea, felt, and memory foam) is described here, any other suitablematerials can be used to form the containment system 1200. For instance,any suitable textiles or other fabrics could be used in the containmentsystem 1200 and covered with polyurea or other liquid-imperviousmaterial(s). Beyond that, any suitable shape-memory material(s) could beused in the supports 1206 of the containment system 1200.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example method 1300 for forming the portablecontainment system of FIG. 12 according to this disclosure. As shown inFIG. 13, a desired final size of the containment system is identified atstep 1302. One or more pieces of felt or other fabric are cut to adesired size at step 1304. Each fabric piece could have any suitablesize and shape, such as a rectangle four feet by twelve feet. One ormultiple pieces of fabric could be used here. Multiple pieces of memoryfoam are cut at step 1306. The memory foam could be cut so that thesupports 1206 have any suitable size and shape, such as triangularwedges.

A releasing agent is applied to one or more molds at step 1308. Thereleasing agent could represent any suitable material(s) to help preventbonding of the containment system 1200 to the mold(s), such as apolyurea releasing agent. The molds are placed along outer edges of thefabric piece(s) at step 1310. If the molds are L-shaped, this step couldinclude placing outer edges of the fabric pieces on the bottom portionsof the molds.

Polyurea is applied to the outer edges of the fabric at step 1312, andthe memory foam pieces are attached to the outer edges of the fabric atstep 1314. The memory foam pieces are therefore attached to the outeredges of the fabric when the polyurea cures.

Polyurea is applied to the mold(s), fabric, and memory foam pieces andcured to form the floor, walls, and supports of the containment systemat step 1316. This could include, for example, spraying polyurea ontothe molds, fabric pieces, and memory foam pieces and allowing thepolyurea to cure. Any suitable amount of polyurea can be applied to thefloor 1202, walls 1204, and supports 1206 of the containment system1200.

The containment structure is turned over at step 1318, and polyurea isapplied to the bottom of the structure at step 1320. The polyurea usedhere could represent a light application of polyurea meant to protectthe underside of the structure. Once completed, the containment systemcan be used in any suitable manner.

Although FIG. 13 illustrates one example of a method 1300 for formingthe portable containment system 1200 of FIG. 12, various changes may bemade to FIG. 13. For example, while shown as a series of steps, varioussteps in FIG. 13 could overlap, occur in parallel, or occur in adifferent order. Also, while the use of certain materials (such aspolyurea, felt, and memory foam) is described here, any other suitablematerials can be used to form the containment system. In addition, notethat spraying represents one way of depositing a liquid-imperviousmaterial onto a structure and that other deposition techniques could beused.

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate a fourth example portable containment system1400 in accordance with this disclosure. In FIG. 14, the portablecontainment system 1400 has the same general structure as the portablecontainment system 800 shown in FIG. 8. The portable containment system1400 includes a bottom portion or floor 1402 and free-standing walls1404. The containment system 1400 operates to contain and hold materialbetween the walls 1404 and over the floor 1402, thereby helping toprevent the material from being absorbed into the ground. In someembodiments, the containment system 1400 is a seamless structure formedfrom polyurea, felt, and memory foam. However, the containment system1400 could be formed from any other suitable materials. Also, thecontainment system 1400 can be used to hold and prevent release of anyhazardous and nonhazardous material(s). In addition, the walls 1404could have any suitable cross-sectional shape.

As shown in FIG. 15, the wall 1404 of the containment system 1400 couldbe formed using felt 1502 and memory foam material 1504 (or other shapememory material). The felt 1502 and memory foam material 1504 can becovered by layers 1506-1508 of polyurea to create a liquid-imperviousstructure. Once again, note that the memory foam material 1504 couldhave any other desired shape, and any other material(s) could be used inplace of the felt 1502.

Unlike the approach shown in FIG. 10, the felt 1502 here wraps aroundthe memory foam material 1504. The bottom of the memory foam material1504 can be attached to the felt 1502, such as by using polyurea, at alocation that is spaced some distance from the edge of the felt 1502.The felt 1502 could then be wrapped up and over the memory foam material1504, possibly while being attached to the sides of the memory foammaterial 1504 (such as with polyurea). Finally, the outer edge of thefelt 1502 can be secured to another portion of the felt 1502, such as byusing polyurea, before the top surface of the structure is covered inthe layer 1508 of polyurea. Effectively, the memory foam material 1504is wrapped in and possibly attached to the felt 1502.

The containment system 1400 here is flexible and can be rolled orotherwise placed into a suitable form for transport (similar to thatshown above). Once at its intended destination, the containment system1400 can be placed on the ground and unrolled or otherwise placed into asuitable form for use, and equipment (such as one or more storage tanks)can be placed on the containment system 1400. When the equipment isbeing placed onto the containment system 1400, people or machinery canbe used to drag or carry the equipment onto the containment system 1400.The walls 1404 of the containment system 1400 can be depressed, and thewalls 1404 may return substantially to their pre-depressed shape(although some deformation of a wall 1404 is permissible). This helps tofacilitate easier placement of the equipment on the containment system1400.

Note that the containment system 1400 again does not require the use ofmetallic or other solid supports to hold the walls 1404 of thecontainment system 1400 upright. This can provide various advantages,such as those discussed above.

Although FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate a fourth example of a portablecontainment system 1400, various changes may be made to FIGS. 14 and 15.For example, the containment system 1400 could have any suitable size,shape, and dimensions. As particular examples, the containment system1400 could be of virtually any size as long as there is enough space tocreate walls for containing material meant to be contained. Also, theshape could be typically square or rectangular, although circular orother shapes could also be used. Further, the walls 1404 could have anysuitable height(s), and non-uniform heights are also possible. Inaddition, while the use of certain materials (such as polyurea, felt,and memory foam) is described here, any other suitable materials can beused to form the containment system 1400. For instance, any suitabletextiles or other fabrics could be used in the containment system 1400and covered with polyurea or other liquid-impervious material(s).Moreover, any suitable shape-memory material(s) could be used in thewalls 1404 of the containment system 1400.

FIG. 16 illustrates an example method 1600 for forming the portablecontainment system of FIGS. 14 and 15 according to this disclosure. Asshown in FIG. 16, a desired final size of the containment system isidentified at step 1602. One or more pieces of felt or other fabric arecut to a desired size at step 1604. Each fabric piece could have anysuitable size and shape, such as a rectangle four feet by twelve feet.One or multiple pieces of fabric could be used here. One or more piecesof memory foam are cut to fit the desired size at step 1606. The memoryfoam could be cut so that one or more pieces fit close to (but arespaced some distance apart from) the outer edges of the fabric piece(s).The memory foam pieces define where the walls 1404 are being formed.

Polyurea is applied near the outer edges of the fabric and/or the memoryfoam pieces at step 1608, and the memory foam pieces are attached to thefabric at step 1610. The memory foam pieces are therefore attached closeto (but spaced apart from) the outer edges of the fabric when thepolyurea cures. Polyurea is applied onto the outer edges of the fabricor the memory foam pieces at step 1612, and the fabric is wrapped aroundthe memory foam pieces at step 1614. This wraps the fabric around thememory foam pieces. Note, however, that a side of the memory foampiece(s) could also be secured to the fabric along the outer edge, andthe memory foam piece(s) could then be rolled to wrap the memory foampiece(s) in fabric. As a result, any suitable technique for wrapping amemory foam piece in fabric could be used here.

The outer edges of the fabric are attached to other portions of thefabric at step 1616. This could include, for example, using the polyureaalong the outer edges of the fabric to attach the outer edges of thefabric to other areas of the fabric. Polyurea is applied onto theremainder of the fabric at step 1618. The containment structure isturned over at step 1620, and polyurea is applied to the bottom of thestructure at step 1622. Any suitable amount of polyurea can be appliedto the walls 1404 and floor 1402 of the containment system 1400. Oncecompleted, the containment system 1400 can be used in any suitablemanner.

Although FIG. 16 illustrates one example of a method 1600 for formingthe portable containment system of FIGS. 14 and 15, various changes maybe made to FIG. 16. For example, while shown as a series of steps,various steps in FIG. 16 could overlap, occur in parallel, or occur in adifferent order. Also, while the use of certain materials (such aspolyurea, felt, and memory foam) is described here, any other suitablematerials can be used to form the containment system. In addition, notethat spraying represents one way of depositing a liquid-imperviousmaterial onto a structure and that other deposition techniques could beused.

FIG. 17 illustrates example handles integrated into a portablecontainment system 1700 according to this disclosure. In this example,two handles 1702 are integrated into the portable containment system1700. The handles 1702 can be used to maneuver the portable containmentsystem 1700.

In some embodiments, the handles 1702 could be formed by cutting reliefslits in the flooring of the portable containment system 1700 andbringing the handles 1702 to the perimeter of the portable containmentsystem 1700. At that point, the handles 1702 are allowed to hang freefrom the portable containment system 1700. The structure is then sprayedwith polyurea to attach the handles to the floor of the portablecontainment system 1700.

In other embodiments, the handles 1702 can be formed along the walls orfloor of the containment system 1700 using a “cut and weave” design toattach the handles to the felt pieces. The structure is then sprayedwith polyurea to seal the handles 1702 to the structure.

Although FIG. 17 illustrates one example of handles 1702 integrated intoa portable containment system 1700, various changes may be made to FIG.17. For example, while the portable containment system 1700 appears tohave continuous walls formed using memory foam material, any of theportable containment systems described above could include handles 1702formed in the same or similar manner. Also, while the portablecontainment system 1700 is shown as having two handles along a shorteredge of the containment system, a portable containment system couldinclude any number of handles in any suitable arrangement.

Note that the containment systems 100, 800, 1200, 1400, 1700 couldinclude any other suitable features as desired depending on theimplementation. For example, at one end of the containment system 100,800, 1200, 1400, 1700, multiple tabs can be formed with holes oropenings. As a particular example, multiple tabs formed by felt coveredin polyurea can be placed at one end of the containment system 100, 800,1200, 1400, 1700, such as tabs formed using one foot by two foot piecesof felt. The tabs could include oblong openings, such as openings ofaround one inch by five inches in size. A forklift operator can placethe forklift's fingers into the openings of the tabs, allowing theforklift operator to raise and lower the containment system 100, 800,1200, 1400, 1700 without requiring the forklift to physically touch thefloor and walls of the containment system 100, 800, 1200, 1400, 1700. Asanother example, serial number tags, company logos, or other componentscan be attached to a containment system 100, 800, 1200, 1400, 1700before, during, or after fabrication of the containment system 100, 800,1200, 1400, 1700. Any other or additional features could be used in thecontainment system 100, 800, 1200, 1400, 1700.

It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words andphrases that have been used within this patent document. The terms“include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusionwithout limitation. The term “or” is inclusive, meaning and/or. Thephrase “associated with” and derivatives thereof may mean to include, beincluded within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within,connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperatewith, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have,have a property of, have a relationship to or with, or the like.

While this disclosure has described certain embodiments and generallyassociated methods, alterations and permutations of these embodimentsand methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly,the above description of example embodiments does not define orconstrain this invention. Other changes, substitutions, and alterationsare also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of thisinvention as defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a containment structurecomprising a floor and free-standing flexible walls, the floorcomprising one or more pieces of fabric, the free-standing flexiblewalls comprising at least one piece of shape memory material; whereinthe one or more pieces of fabric wrap around the at least one piece ofshape memory material such that (i) the one or more pieces of fabricencircle the at least one piece of shape memory material and (ii) thefloor does not extend beyond the free-standing flexible walls; whereinouter edges of the one or more pieces of fabric are attached to otherportions of the one or more pieces of fabric; wherein liquid-imperviousmaterial is located on the one or more pieces of fabric; and wherein thefloor is seamless with the free-standing flexible walls.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein liquid-impervious material is located on abottom side of the one or more pieces of fabric to protect an undersideof the containment structure.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theouter edges of the one or more pieces of fabric are attached to theother portions of the one or more pieces of fabric by liquid-imperviousmaterial.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the free-standingflexible walls are configured to be repeatedly depressed and to returnsubstantially to their pre-depressed shape.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the containment structure is configured to be rolled up withoutremoving any portion of the free-standing flexible walls.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein: the one or more pieces of fabric comprisefelt; the liquid-impervious material comprises polyurea; and the atleast one piece of shape memory material comprises at least one piece ofmemory foam.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the outer edges of theone or more pieces of fabric are attached to a top surface of the one ormore pieces of fabric.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein eachindividual piece of fabric that is wrapped around an associated piece ofthe shape memory material contacts all sides of the associated piece ofshape memory material such that the individual piece of fabric defines aspace in which the associated piece of shape memory material is located.9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: multiple tabs locatedat one end of the containment structure, each tab comprisingliquid-impervious material on one or more additional pieces of fabric,the tabs defining openings configured to receive fingers of a forklift.10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: one or more handles,each handle connected to the containment structure and sealed to thecontainment structure using liquid-impervious material.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more pieces of fabric areattached to a bottom and to sides of the at least one piece of shapememory material.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the one or morepieces of fabric are attached to the bottom and to the sides of the atleast one piece of shape memory material by liquid-impervious material.13. An apparatus comprising: a containment structure comprising a floorand free-standing flexible walls, the floor comprising one or morepieces of fabric, the free-standing flexible walls comprising multiplepieces of shape memory material, each piece of shape memory materialhaving a cross-section defining multiple sides of the piece of shapememory material; wherein the one or more pieces of fabric wrap aroundthe multiple pieces of shape memory material such that (i) the one ormore pieces of fabric encircle each piece of shape memory material andcontact the multiple sides of each piece of shape memory material and(ii) the floor does not extend beyond the free-standing flexible walls;wherein at least one of the sides of each piece of shape memory materialis attached to the one or more pieces of fabric inward from outer edgesof the one or more pieces of fabric; wherein the outer edges of the oneor more pieces of fabric are attached to other portions of the one ormore pieces of fabric; wherein liquid-impervious material is located onthe one or more pieces of fabric; and wherein the floor is seamless withthe free-standing flexible walls.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13,wherein: the one or more pieces of fabric comprise felt; theliquid-impervious material comprises polyurea; and the multiple piecesof shape memory material comprise multiple pieces of memory foam. 15.The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the free-standing flexible walls areconfigured to be repeatedly depressed and to return substantially totheir pre-depressed shape.
 16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein eachindividual piece of fabric that is wrapped around an associated piece ofthe shape memory material contacts all of the multiple sides of theassociated piece of shape memory material such that the individual pieceof fabric defines a space in which the associated piece of shape memorymaterial is located.
 17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein: each pieceof shape memory material is generally triangular with a bottom side andtwo other sides; and the bottom side of each piece of shape memorymaterial is attached to the one or more pieces of fabric inward of theouter edges of the one or more pieces of fabric.
 18. The apparatus ofclaim 17, wherein the bottom side of each piece of shape memory materialis attached to the one or more pieces of fabric using liquid-imperviousmaterial.
 19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the two other sides ofeach piece of shape memory material are attached to the one or morepieces of fabric using liquid-impervious material.
 20. An apparatuscomprising: a containment structure comprising a floor and free-standingflexible walls, the floor comprising one or more pieces of fabric, thefree-standing flexible walls comprising at least one piece of shapememory material, each piece of shape memory material having across-section defining multiple sides of the piece of shape memorymaterial; wherein the one or more pieces of fabric wrap around the atleast one piece of shape memory material such that (i) the one or morepieces of fabric encircle each piece of shape memory material and (ii)the floor does not extend beyond the free-standing flexible walls;wherein at least one of the sides of each piece of shape memory materialis attached to the one or more pieces of fabric inward from outer edgesof the one or more pieces of fabric using liquid-impervious material;wherein the outer edges of the one or more pieces of fabric are attachedto top surfaces of other portions of the one or more pieces of fabricusing liquid-impervious material; wherein liquid-impervious material islocated on the one or more pieces of fabric; wherein the floor isseamless with the free-standing flexible walls; and wherein eachindividual piece of fabric that is wrapped around an associated piece ofthe shape memory material contacts all of the multiple sides of theassociated piece of shape memory material such that the individual pieceof fabric defines a space in which the associated piece of shape memorymaterial is located.